"Perimeter secure," Marcus Tullian reported, completing his third sweep of their chosen location. The small pteau offered excellent visibility in all directions while providing natural shelter through a rocky outcropping on its northern edge.

  Alexander nodded in approval. Their movement from the materialization point had been fwless—exactly as they had practiced in the simution chambers his father had commissioned. Despite the unexpected pyer distribution at entry, they were back on track.

  "Riva, resource prioritization," he commanded, his voice calm but authoritative.

  The technical specialist was already kneeling beside her equipment pack, organizing the minimal starter supplies they'd been provided. Unlike most teams, they had been fully briefed on what to expect—seven basic instruments including a multi-tool, fire starter, water purifier, and basic medical supplies.

  "Water security is first priority," Riva reported efficiently. "Second priority is establishing shelter before nightfall. I estimate approximately seven hours of daylight remaining, based on sun position and Green Realm day/night cycle data."

  Alexander was impressed by her immediate recall of the briefing materials. "Elijah, you and Riva handle water procurement. Marcus and I will begin shelter construction. Valeria, establish a hunting perimeter and identify potential game trails."

  Everyone moved immediately to their assigned tasks, dispying the coordination that came from months of pre-Game training together. Alexander felt a surge of pride—his team was functioning exactly as designed.

  As Marcus began gathering suitable materials for their shelter, Alexander activated his neural interface again, accessing the Personal Library once more. This time he navigated to the tactical section, materializing a specialized manual titled "Green Realm Structures: Optimal Configurations for Defense and Efficiency."

  The book appeared in his hands, its weight and texture perfectly simuted by his Architect-css interface. Unlike the basic text-only manuals avaible to standard pyers, this volume contained detailed three-dimensional schematics that rose from the pages when activated.

  "Marcus," Alexander called, "take a look at this."

  The security officer approached and studied the hovering schematic with professional interest. "Impressive. Your interface has full tactical library access from entry."

  "Grandfather's influence," Alexander expined simply. As one of VitaCore's founding board members, his grandfather had ensured the twins would have every possible advantage.

  Marcus nodded, studying the design. "This configuration maximizes both defensive positioning and heat retention. We can adapt it using the materials avaible here."

  Together they began constructing a shelter that far exceeded what most first-day pyers could achieve. Alexander's library access provided precise specifications, while Marcus's military experience transted those specifications into practical application.

  Meanwhile, Alexander kept one eye on the progress of his other team members. Through their shared tactical dispy, he could track their positions and status in real-time—another feature of their premium interfaces that standard pyers wouldn't access until much ter floors, if ever.

  Elijah and Riva had reached the water source and were already implementing purification protocols, while Valeria had established a wide scouting perimeter, marking potential resource nodes on their shared map.

  Less than an hour after arrival, their campsite was taking shape with impressive efficiency. Alexander allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. Everything was proceeding according to pn.

  "You really prepared for this," a voice called from the edge of their perimeter.

  Alexander turned to see a young man watching them with undisguised admiration. By his clothing and lower-quality interface visual markers, he appeared to be Servicer-css.

  "This is a restricted area," Marcus said immediately, moving to intercept.

  Alexander raised a hand, halting his security officer. The interaction, while unexpected, presented an opportunity to assess local pyer dynamics.

  "We've cimed this territory," Alexander stated simply. "What's your purpose here?"

  The young man held up his hands in a non-threatening gesture. "Just passing through. Most of us are still trying to figure out basic interface functions, and here you all are building what looks like a small fortress." He shook his head in wonder. "You must be Architect-css. The rumors were true."

  "What rumors?" Alexander asked sharply.

  "That Architect-css pyers get premium interfaces and advance training." The young man shrugged. "No one's supposed to talk about it, but everyone knows. The Game's rigged from the start."

  Before Alexander could respond, Valeria returned from her scouting circuit, moving with the fluid grace of someone who'd undergone extensive physical enhancement treatments—another privilege of her css.

  "Two small groups heading this direction," she reported, ignoring the visitor. "Worker-css, poorly organized, likely following our trail."

  Alexander frowned. This wasn't in their pns. They had expected to encounter other prepared teams, not desperate lower-css pyers seeking guidance or resources.

  "We need to establish clear boundaries," he decided. "Valeria, create marker posts at our cimed perimeter. Marcus, prepare deterrence measures—non-lethal for now."

  As his team immediately moved to implement his orders, Alexander turned back to the Servicer-css visitor.

  "You should return to your own group," he said firmly. "We're not looking for allies at this stage."

  The young man studied him for a moment. "You might want to reconsider that. The distribution's all wrong—there are Worker-css pyers in areas that should be lethal for their interface capabilities. Something's not following the standard protocols."

  This confirmed Alexander's earlier suspicions about system deviations. He narrowed his eyes. "How would you know about standard protocols?"

  A slight smile. "Not everyone with information is Architect-css." With that cryptic statement, the young man turned and disappeared into the forest with surprising stealth.

  "Should I track him?" Valeria asked, hand moving to her belt where a tracking device would normally be holstered.

  Alexander considered briefly, then shook his head. "Continue with perimeter establishment. But make a note—there may be more knowledgeable pyers than anticipated."

  By mid-afternoon, their base camp had taken shape with remarkable efficiency. The shelter was nearly complete—a structure more sophisticated than most pyers would achieve in their first week. Riva had established a water purification system that exceeded standard Game requirements, and Elijah had already cataloged seventeen distinct pnt species with medicinal properties.

  As the team gathered for their first tactical meeting, Alexander accessed the Personal Library once more, this time materializing a Green Realm exploration guide. Unlike the simplified maps avaible to standard pyers, his showed detailed topography, resource nodes, and even rudimentary information about nearby pyer concentrations.

  "Our position is optimal," he began, dispying the three-dimensional map for his team. "We've established basic security and resources. Now we begin systematic exploration."

  He outlined a precise exploration pattern based on corporate resource-gathering strategies—a pinwheel formation that would allow them to maintain camp security while maximizing territory coverage.

  "We'll implement Exploration Protocol Three," he continued. "Valeria and Marcus will form our advance team, with Riva and Elijah as our research team. I'll coordinate from central position and maintain camp security."

  The assignments perfectly matched their pre-Game training specializations. Marcus Tullian's military background made him ideal for security operations, while Valeria's enhanced reflexes and stealth training made her the perfect scout. Riva's technical expertise would be focused on resource identification and utilization, complemented by Elijah's exceptional analytical abilities.

  As his team members acknowledged their assignments, Alexander felt growing confidence. Despite the unexpected pyer distribution and communication anomalies, their preparation advantage was clear. They had accomplished more in three hours than most teams would in three days.

  "One final matter," Alexander said, closing the tactical briefing. "I want regur intelligence gathering on other pyer groups in our vicinity. We need to understand the competitive ndscape."

  "I've already begun mapping pyer movements," Valeria volunteered, dispying her own data collection. "Most are still within two kilometers of the materialization point, with no discernible organization or strategy."

  "Excellent. Continue monitoring and report any unusual patterns." Alexander looked around at his team with satisfaction. "We have a significant head start. Let's maintain that advantage."

  As the meeting concluded and team members dispersed to their assigned tasks, Elijah lingered behind.

  "What do you make of that Servicer-css pyer?" he asked quietly. "He seemed unusually well-informed."

  Alexander frowned slightly. "An anomaly. Perhaps someone with connections above their css. Worth noting but not concerning at this stage."

  Elijah nodded, but his expression remained thoughtful. "I've been accessing the Personal Library's historical section. There's something interesting about how the Game's pyer distribution is described in different text versions."

  "Expin," Alexander prompted, immediately interested.

  "The most recent tactical guides specify css-based distribution with clear segregation," Elijah said, materializing his own book—a historical analysis of early Game iterations. "But earlier records suggest mixed-css deployment was originally the standard format."

  Alexander took the offered book, studying the relevant passage with growing interest. "You think this isn't an error but a reversion to original parameters?"

  "It's a possibility worth considering," Elijah replied. "Which raises the question—what else might not match our briefing materials?"

  This was precisely why Alexander valued his twin's perspective. While Alexander focused on immediate tactical advantage, Elijah often identified subtle patterns and implications others might miss.

  "Continue researching through the Library," Alexander decided. "Focus on any other potential discrepancies between current and historical Game parameters."

  As Elijah nodded and moved toward their newly constructed shelter, Alexander paused to survey their camp once more. In just hours, they had established a secure position that would have taken most teams days to achieve. Their neural interfaces were functioning at optimal levels, and their team dynamics were exactly as pnned.

  If the Game had indeed reverted to earlier parameters or introduced unexpected variables, they would adapt. That was, after all, what they had been trained to do.

  Alexander opened his tactical dispy again, reviewing the exploration routes he had assigned. Each was calcuted to maximize resource discovery while minimizing potential threats. Corporate resource acquisition strategies, adapted perfectly for the Game environment.

  As the afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled shadows across their campsite, Alexander allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. They were exactly where they needed to be—ahead of the competition, organized, and prepared for whatever challenges the Game might present.

  The growing unease about system deviations was a concern, but not an insurmountable one. They would gather more data, adjust their strategies accordingly, and continue to maintain their advantage.

  After all, adaptation was merely another form of excellence. And excellence, as always, was expected.

  Later that evening, as the team finished securing their perimeter for the night, Alexander accessed the Personal Library one final time before rest period. This time he selected a more specialized text—"Psychological Advantages in Multi-Team Competitions." The book materialized in his hands, its contents avaible only to those with Architect-css library privileges.

  As he studied the advanced manipution tactics described within, Alexander considered their application to their current situation. With more disorganized pyers in their vicinity than anticipated, establishing psychological dominance early could prove as valuable as their physical resource advantage.

  Nearby, Elijah was engaged with his own Library selection—a historical analysis of Game advancement patterns. The twins often spent their evening hours this way, each focusing on different knowledge areas that complemented their roles.

  "Find anything useful?" Alexander asked as he closed his own book.

  Elijah looked up, his expression thoughtful. "According to the original design documents, the Game was intended to have teams with members from all css levels. There are notes here suggesting the css-restricted team formations were implemented after the initial design phase."

  Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Suggesting what?"

  "That our father's insistence on limiting our team to Architect and elite Privileged-css members might not align with the original Game design philosophy."

  This was typical of their retionship—Elijah testing boundaries and questioning assumptions, Alexander evaluating such challenges against their practical objectives.

  "Noted," Alexander said simply. "But for now, we stick to the pn."

  As night fell fully over the forest and the first unfamiliar stars appeared through gaps in the canopy, Alexander completed his final perimeter check. Their first day in the Game had been a success by any objective measure. They had shelter, security, resources, and a clear strategy for advancement.

  If the Game had changed some of its parameters, they would adapt and overcome. That was what they were designed to do.

  And that was exactly what they would continue to do, regardless of what unexpected challenges y ahead.